Creativity

August has been wonderful as far as goal setting. Or I would say overcoming stigmas I have put upon myself. I did a lot of traveling in the last few months. I decided August was a month I was going to just sit tight at home. I have realized how many things I don't do out of fear. And, staying home for a month living alone is one of them. But, I accomplished so much! It even made me go out and get a job! And, I started selling on Ebay. One of my fears is eating too much. And, that has been a struggle. But, I stopped drinking soda in May. I think that is good, but hasn't made a difference in my weight or how I feel. But, I don't need it, which is a good thing. Creatively I had a workshop in the middle of the month. It was seven days of zoom calls at 1pm. It really helped me free myself from fears. Also, unlearning what I learned getting a degree in Art. But, ever since I tried to paint since then, I still need some kind of guidance. This workshop was very encouraging from Jessica Swift and Barbara Hershey. It was all about a quote or word prompt (I love that) and picking a song to paint to (also love). So, the day after I met my grandson, August, I sat down to paint each morning. The first week I always wanted to try my calligraphy brushes, the second week I wanted to use posco pens (acrylic paint pens, love them) and actually did the same thing (listen to music and pick out words to paint). Then the workshop I used oil pastels, which I haven't used since I was a child. It was all very freeing. And, then this week I have always wanted to paint with tea. The biggest hurdle was doing this challenge and using color. Sounds stupid. But, when I sit down to paint I have a hard time just picking out color to start with. The choices become overwhelming for me. Just like life, sometimes I don't realize how overwhelmed I am. I just power through every thing. So, this time.....this gift has been something I have needed for a long time. I think I may have gotten back to where I was two years ago. But, I wasn't alone two years ago. But, I am ajusting, pivoting, changing and then going with the flow. But, it still not easy to do just that, because my day to day is so different. But, one of the prompt was...what if? And I answered with...what if I had all the time in the world. And, that has helped me in my day to day. Something I have always wished for was more time. Quote of the day: “A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone.” – Mandy Hale Song of the day: Butterfly by Jon Baptiste

Following a Path of Dreams

I still can't believe how seeing nature this year effects my mood so much. I started seeing mushrooms a couple of weeks ago as I walked from my car to my house. I have been making fairies (I have made 2 so far) and I decided to buy a few to take photos with. I started wishing to see some, when I was prepared with them in my car. I was so surprised when I came a across a bunch in Point Pleasant. They were so big I could see them in enough time to turn and park my car. Then two days later I went to Georgian Court University to work on my resume. And, what did I see? The biggest and hugest mushrooms I have seen so far. I debated or not whether to bring the fairies, but I did not. I know this is all about this time in my life. I am definitely taking time in all I do to focus on "stopping and smelling the roses". But, I am always astonished when I am brought to a site for a different reason, but it brings me this unexplainable joy when I see something as common as a mushroom. Somehow, I just feel like I was meant to be there at the exact time. Because like time, mushrooms are always fleeting. Because, of the conditions needed for them to grow. And, because of weekly lawn mowing and animals eating them. So, it was a good week for me overall. I am definitely on the right path. I have been really busy this week getting photographs and descriptions for listing on Ebay again. Something I swore I would NOT do ever again!!! But, I have decided to rid myself of my past......more! And, in with some new in the future. I have kept some of my blue and white dishes I use every day. I eventually will be going down to North Carolina to sell all of my dishes and anything breakable. But, I decided to give selling on ebay a try myself for a few weeks. Everything I am selling this week is blue and white. And, it makes me pretty sad listing it. But, I love this artist Nathalie Lete, who just came out with a fall line of ceramics at Anthropologie. And, I will use the money from ebay to buy some new. I needed a spoon rest, so I bought that first. And, the cutest squirrel bowl I'll use for my cereal each morning. I am so inspired my Nathalie Lete. Her instagram page is amazing. She has started to paint every inch of her house since covid. I want to do that here, but I really am chicken. But, she paints on windows, too for Anthropologie (about ten years ago). And, that is temporary, I might just stick to that. After listening to Bruce Springsteen this morning, it reminded me how I found the love of myself through God and the campus at Georgian Court University. It was the first place I would drive into and feel totally at peace. I arrived on the campus in 1988 with a list of unrealized dreams. And, I drove onto the campus yesterday with all of my dreams realized and my heart feels full of God's love for me. I am eternally grateful for the core values I learned at Georgian Court University. I was thankful for the signs (literally actual road signs) on my path as drove into campus yesterday. The core values of GCU are: Respect, Justice, Integrity, Compassion and Service. Most of all be kind to yourself! Quote of the Day: You have to treat yourself like a mushroom to some degree, in order to keep on discovering things. Christian Bale My quote I just made up: "Out with the blue and in with the new" Song of the Day: Follow That Dream Bruce Springsteen........song heard driving yesterday. Get well soon Bruce Springsteen!!!

Creating Everyday

Inspired Life

I am still checking off a big list of places I have wanted to visit since lockdown. When I was sharing all the museums I had visited, I was finding some I never knew about. There is a website called Artshomes.org and it ends up there are 36 Homes and Studios federally funded across the United States. And, there is one right here in Ocean County. There was an excellent presentation yesterday by Jim Inzero. He is a local artist with a gallery in Point Pleasant. I didn't actually get to see the show he is featured in called "WaterWater Everywhere". It will be open until October 8th. I am looking forward to going back. It is only open on weekends, and I don't like traveling the shore when traffic is high. But, the show looks amazing and I can't wait to tour the Studio and home of John F. Peto. He was a master of trompe l'oeil (tricks the eye to look real). He died in 1907. The gardens are beautiful and the house was restored for the public's enjoyment. I had never been to Island Heights before either. And, it is truely magnificent. Hope to get down there more and look into the Ocean County Artists' Guild, also. I feel like I have just dipped my foot into how amazing this area is to the arts and heritage. There was a great magazine I also picked up. It is called Ocean County Out and About. Between the shore and Princeton area there is a LOT going on. I am so happy to finally have the time to really enjoy it. I am learning and growing and it makes me feel younger! Quote of the day: Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey.–Jon Bon Jovi Song of the Day: Who Says You Can't Go Home Jon Bon Jovi

Every Shade of Blue

The painting for the album cover of Every Shade of Blue is for sale at the Danny Clinch's Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park. There is a great story attached, as it was lost in the mail for Sea Hear Now, and arrived in January. I also love how when I edited the photo it showed the one next to it which says "SEEN". I hope this doesn't come across as a sad post. But, with writing and processing my thoughts, I sometimes come to a conclusion of why I write. And, then wonder whether the fire will still be in me each morning to write. The last week has been a good, in that I really was able to understand myself better. And, I am totally happy with how my writing and thought processing is evolving. I understand each person is different and that truely is a GOOD thing. I also, now feel, we may be a juxtaposition of ourselves (especially online). Juxtaposition is definitely a word I did not ever hear (or understand) until I was an art major in 1988 at Georgian Court College. I thought the professor was saying (usually pointing to a painting) just a position. Then after hearing it a few times in Contemporary art class I had to look it up. Juxtaposition is the fact of two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect. "the juxtaposition of these two images". As I approached the midway point of the year 2023 I was elated with the serendipity and the conclusion I came away with each day. EACH day....YES!!! I had some kind of revelation in person with real people validating the same conclusions I was reaching. All different ages from all different walks of life validating the same thing. It was and still is magical. I will save all of this for the end of the year. But, I think after reading the book "Bittersweet" by Susan Cain I was able to process this in the best way. And, that is we are real in our thoughts, but just as real in how we express it. But, then we can be surprised because we are deep down quiet, yet we want to shout to the world and be seen. So, in the end we are juxtapositions of ourselves. But, it gets deeper. It is in the darkest moments we HAVE to, I mean we MUST see the light. Through all the fears, what ifs, and all the doubt we have to hold on and know there is a better day in front of us. Woah! this a lot. I just wanted to do a post about what a cool moment this was when the singer from the Head and the Heart made eye contact with me. And, the feeling that gave me last September. I had a chance to see them again last week. And, I have been listening to their music a lot lately. And, I paint the ocean in my head to it. I will be trying to do this as much as possible in the next few weeks. I also saw the Georgia O'Keefe show last week at the Museum of Modern Art. I will be sharing all the works she did in every shade of blue. I was so inspired by this body of work she did in 1916 to 1918 while she was attending school, and teaching at the University of Virgina. In conclusion I have shared a museum visit with a friend, met new friends waiting in line for two hours for the pop up show "Head and the Heart" etc. So, I can't complain so much for living alone. I am alone, but I am not alone. It is not only in my head, but in my heart that I KNOW this. Think happy BE happy! Quote of the day: "…in a way—nobody sees a flower—really—it is so small—we haven't time—and to see takes time like to have a friend takes time." Georgia O'Keefe Song of the day: Head and the Heart Every Shade of Blue

Labyrinth and Lavender

Yesterday, I was thinking of some happy points along my way of my journey to joy. And walking around a labyrinth brought me an explainable jolt of joy when I reached the center. Labyrinths go back to medevil times. And, of course, a cathedral in France is noted for the design and still used as model here in America today. Believe it or not there are 65 labyrinths in New Jersey. Most of them are on church grounds or spiritual centers. The one pictured is from Mad Lavender. When I was at Omega institute there was one there. And, while on break I was happy to have something to do while waiting close by. It made me laugh out loud when I got to center. (I STILL) don't know why. There were an assortment of little trinkets left my many in the center. It may have been I saw a couple of candy bars. But, it really did get me thinking why walking in circles makes you feel so good. This past weekend there were some lavender plants in a circle for what might be the beginning of a laberyth. This morning I found out there is a laberynth at St. Andrews church in Spring Lake. My mission was to buy some lavender and I got a beautiful Hibiscus tree at Barlows for $10. I bought some irises the other day. So, I thought it was a nice day to try to to cut the lavender in a bouquet since it is already flowering. And, try to propergate it. There is an excellent instagram account I just started watching and she is amazing. It is SO hot out I just finished weeding and watering and had to take a break and decided to write and cool off. I will make a story in my instagram and ends up this was a great way to celebrate Bastille day. This is the day France celebrates thier freedom. So, Happy Bastille day and enjoy this summery weekend! Quote of the day: “The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.” ~ Voltaire Song of the day: Coldplay Viva La Vida

Dreamiest Path

It is half way through the year And it is a good time to check in with my goal setting. And, set my eyes on the rest of the year. This week has been the best so far. I have visited a lot of lavender farms. Last week I made a crown. And, this week I get to wear the crown for a photo shoot. I also will be taking a class in how to distill lavender. The fourth of July weekend was quiet. I am binge watching some shows that are making me laugh out loud. And, yesterday I finally took a walk around the neighborhood. It was right before the clouds rolled in, and I could hear thunder in the backround. I was treated to the best surprise. Within 300 steps from my door, I walked to the scene in the picture above. It made me so happy to see the lavender planted in a public place with two benches overlooking the Manasquan river. I had to pull off a piece to smell it, just to make sure. I came home and started painting the scene picture above. And, I have a frame all ready to frame it, along with the sprig of lavender. My writing goals are looking good for the rest of the year. And, I even wrote out a monthly plan for next year. I am working hard on the way I think. Murphy's law has always ruled my thoughts. It is one of the hardest parts of what I am going through. I am aware I always think of a worst case scenario. And, I make a lot of decisions based on this. So, it is something I am slowly changing with being mindful. I reframe my thoughts. Once, I get through this I will be able to make more good choices in my life. But, for now I finally can feel relaxed for a good amount of time. And, that has been the biggest part of my goal. A goal of just letting go and just BE. It sounds easy, but it was NOT. But, the longer I can just BE, the better I WILL BE. Quote of the Day: “And to tell the truth I don’t want to let go of the wrists of idleness, I don’t want to sell my life for money, I don’t even want to come in out of the rain.” Mary Oliver Song of the Day: This Hard Land Bruce Springsteen